Sushi Sailboats Fresh Fish

Featured in: Fresh Salads & Bowls

This dish combines tender sushi-grade salmon and tuna with perfectly seasoned rice rolled in nori sheets. Crisp cucumber and creamy avocado add refreshing layers, while daikon radish or carrot slices serve as decorative sails atop each boat. Served with pickled ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce, it offers a playful and visually appealing start to any gathering. The preparation involves making vinegared rice, assembling fresh toppings, and crafting edible boats that bring both flavor and fun to the table.

Updated on Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:47:00 GMT
Vibrant photo: Artistic Sushi Sailboats at Sea, featuring fresh fish and colorful vegetable sails, ready to be enjoyed. Save
Vibrant photo: Artistic Sushi Sailboats at Sea, featuring fresh fish and colorful vegetable sails, ready to be enjoyed. | olivedune.com

Whimsical sushi boats crafted with fresh fish, sushi rice, and crisp vegetables, perfect for a playful appetizer or party platter.

This cozy chicken stew has been a family favorite for years bringing comfort and smiles around the dinner table

Ingredients

  • Sushi Rice: 1 cup sushi rice, 1 1/4 cups water, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp sugar, 1/2 tsp salt
  • Fillings & Toppings: 100 g fresh sushi grade salmon thinly sliced, 100 g fresh sushi grade tuna thinly sliced, 1/2 avocado thinly sliced, 1/2 cucumber seeds removed thinly sliced, 4 sheets nori seaweed cut in half, 2 tbsp black sesame seeds
  • Garnishes & Sail Materials: 8 thin slices daikon radish or carrot for sails, 8 small bamboo skewers or toothpicks, 1 tbsp pickled ginger, 1 tbsp wasabi, 2 tbsp soy sauce gluten free if needed

Instructions

Step 1:
Rinse the sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Combine rice and water in a pot bring to a boil then reduce heat cover and simmer for 18 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 10 minutes.
Step 2:
In a small bowl mix rice vinegar sugar and salt until dissolved. Gently fold into the cooked rice. Allow the rice to cool to room temperature.
Step 3:
Lay a half sheet of nori shiny side down. With wet hands shape a small log about 2 tbsp of sushi rice and place it lengthwise on the nori.
Step 4:
Top each rice log with slices of salmon tuna avocado and cucumber as desired. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Step 5:
Roll the nori around the rice and toppings leaving the top open to resemble a boat.
Step 6:
To make sails thread a daikon or carrot slice onto a bamboo skewer or toothpick and insert upright into each sushi boat.
Step 7:
Arrange sushi sailboats on a platter. Garnish with pickled ginger and serve with wasabi and soy sauce on the side.
Imagine a platter of delightful Sushi Sailboats at Sea: salmon, tuna, veggies, and sesame seeds make the perfect appetizer. Save
Imagine a platter of delightful Sushi Sailboats at Sea: salmon, tuna, veggies, and sesame seeds make the perfect appetizer. | olivedune.com

This recipe brings joy to family gatherings especially when kids get involved in making their own sushi sailboats

Required Tools

Rice cooker or pot with lid Sharp knife Bamboo skewers or toothpicks Rolling mat optional

Allergen Information

Contains fish salmon tuna and soy soy sauce Some ingredients may contain sesame Check all labels for gluten if required

Nutritional Information

Calories 105 Total Fat 2.5 g Carbohydrates 16 g Protein 5 g per boat

Beautiful and playful Sushi Sailboats at Sea, a delicious Japanese fusion appetizer with glistening fresh ingredients. Save
Beautiful and playful Sushi Sailboats at Sea, a delicious Japanese fusion appetizer with glistening fresh ingredients. | olivedune.com

These sushi sailboats combine fun presentation with fresh flavors making them a hit at any party

Cooking Questions & Answers

How is the sushi rice prepared for the sailboats?

Rinse the sushi rice until water runs clear, cook with water until tender, then gently fold in a mixture of rice vinegar, sugar, and salt for flavor and stickiness.

What types of fish are used in these sushi boats?

Fresh sushi-grade salmon and tuna are thinly sliced and layered over the rice to provide rich, delicate flavors.

How are the sails for the sushi boats made?

Thin slices of daikon radish or carrot are threaded onto bamboo skewers or toothpicks and inserted upright into each rice and nori roll to resemble sails.

Can this dish accommodate dietary preferences?

Yes, for a vegetarian option, substitute fish with extra avocado, mango, or marinated tofu; gluten-free soy sauce can also be used as needed.

What garnishes accompany the sushi sailboats?

Pickled ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce are served alongside to enhance flavor and balance the freshness of the ingredients.

How long does preparation and cooking take?

Preparation takes approximately 35 minutes, cooking around 20 minutes, totaling about 55 minutes to complete the dish.

Sushi Sailboats Fresh Fish

Delight in sushi sailboats featuring fresh fish, sushi rice, and crisp vegetables for a fun starter.

Prep Duration
35 min
Time to Cook
20 min
Overall Duration
55 min
Creator: Clara Moretti


Skill Level Medium

Cuisine Japanese Fusion

Serves 4 Portions

Dietary Info No Dairy, Wheat-Free

What You Need

Sushi Rice

01 1 cup sushi rice
02 1.25 cups water
03 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
04 1 tablespoon sugar
05 0.5 teaspoon salt

Fillings & Toppings

01 3.5 ounces fresh sushi-grade salmon, thinly sliced
02 3.5 ounces fresh sushi-grade tuna, thinly sliced
03 0.5 avocado, thinly sliced
04 0.5 cucumber, seeded and thinly sliced
05 4 sheets nori (seaweed), halved
06 2 tablespoons black sesame seeds

Garnishes & Sail Materials

01 8 thin slices daikon radish or carrot for sails
02 8 small bamboo skewers or toothpicks
03 1 tablespoon pickled ginger
04 1 tablespoon wasabi
05 2 tablespoons soy sauce (gluten-free if required)

Steps

Step 01

Cook Sushi Rice: Rinse sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Combine rice and water in a pot, bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 10 minutes.

Step 02

Season Rice: Mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small bowl until dissolved. Gently fold this mixture into the cooked rice and allow to cool to room temperature.

Step 03

Form Rice Logs on Nori: Place half-sheet of nori shiny side down. With wet hands, shape about 2 tablespoons of sushi rice into a small log lengthwise on nori.

Step 04

Add Fillings: Top each rice log with salmon, tuna, avocado, and cucumber slices as preferred. Sprinkle with black sesame seeds.

Step 05

Roll Sushi Boats: Roll nori around the rice and toppings, leaving the top open to resemble a boat.

Step 06

Assemble Sails: Thread a daikon or carrot slice onto a bamboo skewer or toothpick and insert upright into each sushi boat.

Step 07

Present and Garnish: Arrange the sushi sailboats on a platter. Garnish with pickled ginger and serve with wasabi and soy sauce on the side.

Essential Tools

  • Rice cooker or pot with lid
  • Sharp knife
  • Bamboo skewers or toothpicks
  • Rolling mat (optional)

Allergy Notice

Always review each component for allergens, and reach out to medical experts if you're uncertain.
  • Contains fish (salmon, tuna) and soy (soy sauce)
  • May contain sesame
  • Check labels for gluten content if necessary

Nutrition Breakdown (each portion)

These details are for general advice—please consult your healthcare provider for specific guidance.
  • Energy (kcal): 105
  • Lipids: 2.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 16 g
  • Proteins: 5 g